China on Tuesday called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and stronger African-led mediation efforts, warning of the gap between diplomatic commitments and conditions on the ground despite recent progress in regional peace initiatives.
Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes region, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, stressed the importance of African-led efforts in resolving the region's protracted conflicts.
"A lasting solution to the challenges facing the Great Lakes region requires solidarity and cooperation among regional countries, as well as a greater role for regional initiatives," Sun said.
"The international community should support the African Union in providing an effective platform for de-escalation and political dialogue, and fully respect its central role in the regional peace process," he said.
Sun welcomed the African Union's recent efforts, including a mediation roadmap for eastern DRC and field visits, and called for stronger support from international partners.
He also urged the Security Council to continue supporting UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region Xia Huang in maintaining dialogue with regional parties and conducting shuttle diplomacy, while adjusting the envoy's mandate in response to evolving circumstances.
Xia told the Council that recent peace efforts, including the Washington and Doha processes, had made "notable progress", but the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC continued to deteriorate.
"A genuine ceasefire remains elusive," Xia said, adding that continued fighting and the increasing use of armed drones in populated areas were causing further civilian suffering.
Xia also noted the persistent tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, as well as mistrust between Burundi and Rwanda, which continue to undermine prospects for regional peace.
On the humanitarian crisis, Sun called for greater international assistance to address the growing humanitarian needs in the region, particularly as the ongoing conflict has complicated efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak.
"The international community should coordinate humanitarian relief and epidemic prevention and control efforts, urge parties to the conflict to ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and protect the safety and security of humanitarian and medical personnel," Sun said.
China has provided several batches of emergency financial assistance and medical supplies to the DRC, Uganda and the African Union since the Ebola outbreak, and dispatched three teams of medical experts to the DRC, Sun said.
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He called on international partners to increase financial, material and technical assistance to help the region overcome the epidemic and restore normal life.
Addressing the root causes of regional instability, Sun said the persistent conflicts in the Great Lakes region were closely linked to historical grievances, ethnic tensions, development deficits and the illegal exploitation of mineral resources.
"The international community should support regional countries in turning their natural resource advantages into drivers of development," he said, calling for stronger regional economic cooperation and joint efforts to combat illegal resource exploitation and smuggling.
Sun also reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting peace and development in the region, citing cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in trade, infrastructure, mining and agriculture.
In June, China and the United Nations jointly organized a training program on small arms and light weapons control for countries in the Great Lakes region to help curb the illicit proliferation of weapons, according to Sun.
"As a good friend of countries in the region, China stands ready to continue working with all parties to make greater contributions to lasting peace, stability, prosperity and development in the Great Lakes region," Sun said.
